On this three-day, two-night backpacking trip, you will learn to bring your art into the wilderness and paint on location, recording your experience in the mountains with watercolor and pen sketches. Join one of our naturalist guides and our guest instructor Shelly Perkins for an adventure to scenic May Lake, where you’ll capture your outdoor experiences in a sketchbook and walk away inspired for future adventures. You will learn how to minimize your impact on your surroundings and apply a Leave No Trace backpacker’s mindset to create a wilderness-friendly, portable art supply kit. As you learn, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of May Lake, where we’ll camp for two nights. Stunning views of May Lake and Mt. Hoffman will inspire your art. Your instructor Shelly will share her love of the outdoors and support you in building confidence to create art in wilderness settings! By the time you hop off the trail, you’ll have the skills to plan your next wilderness adventure and the inspiration to add to your art journal!
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:
- Program dates: July 16–July 19
- Program location: May Lake
- What’s included:
- Pre-trip evening meeting and three days of progressive learning/outdoor painting with artist Shelly Perkins.
- Four nights of tent camping — shared amongst participants — at Crane Flat Campground (July 16 and 19) and May Lake (July 17 and 18).
- There is no discount if you choose not to stay at the group campsite.
- Camping details:
- Three campsites at Crane Flat Campground along Highway 120.
- Participants arrive on July 16 after 12 pm and must depart on July 17. Participants have the option to stay again on the night of July 19 and must depart by 11 am the following day (July 20). There will be no access to these campsites during the backpacking portion of the program.
- Campsites are shared among all retreat participants. A picnic table, bear locker, and firepit are provided at each site. Please be prepared to tent camp.
- Camping is for retreat participants only. We are unable to accommodate friends and family of participants in our group campsite; lodging arrangements for friends and family are the responsibility of participants.
- Due to the shared nature of our group sites, we are unable to accommodate RVs or campers. If you desire a private campsite, have an RV/camper, or want to sleep in your car, you must arrange for your own reservation.
- Backpacking details:
- Participants will drive to the May Lake trailhead from Crane Flat Campground. The group will hike to May Lake with all their backpacking gear and camp in the wilderness for the nights of July 17–July 18.
- We can’t allow unregistered friends or family of participants on this trip. Backcountry permits and lodging arrangements for unregistered friends and family are the responsibility of participants.
- Experience level: All artistic levels welcome, must be physically fit to walk at high elevation with backpacking gear and art supplies. Please be prepared to hike 1–3 miles/day. If you’re not sure if this workshop is the right fit for you, get in touch with us at [email protected], we’re happy to help!
What’s not included:
- Art supplies, camping/backpacking gear, snacks, or meals.
- Transportation.
Helpful trip planning resources:
